In an effort to combat the escalating challenges posed by disinformation and narrative manipulation, Blackbird.AI, the frontrunner in AI-driven Narrative and Risk Intelligence, has successfully closed a significant $20 million Series B funding round. This round of funding was led by renowned cybersecurity investor Ten Eleven Ventures, with additional support from existing investors Dorilton Capital, Generation Ventures, StartFast Ventures, and Trousdale Ventures. Notably, Paul Kurtz, chief cybersecurity advisor to Splunk, and Richard Clarke, the former “cyber czar” for the U.S. Government, have also joined as investors. With this latest injection of capital, Blackbird.AI’s total funding raised now amounts to an impressive $32 million.
Disinformation’s Global Impact and the Need for Revolutionary Solutions
According to a 2019 estimate, disinformation carries a staggering cost of $78 billion per year worldwide. Furthermore, publicly traded companies suffer approximately $39 billion in annual losses due to disinformation-related stock market fluctuations. The emergence of generative AI presents an even more significant threat, as it enables the rapid and widespread dissemination of disinformation, potentially surpassing these already substantial figures. Consequently, chief communication officers (CCOs), chief information security officers (CISOs), and the intelligence community find themselves on high alert.
Blackbird.AI’s Vision: Safeguarding Trust, Safety, and Integrity
Blackbird.AI, helmed by CEO and co-founder Wasim Khaled, has made it their mission to help organizations understand and combat the growing menace of perception manipulation. Khaled states, “Human perception has become the latest frontier in cyberattacks, manifesting as misinformation and narrative manipulation. This emerging threat is impacting a broad range of sectors and professionals, from strategic communicators and risk managers to information security teams.” Blackbird.AI aims to foster an environment of trust, safety, and integrity by offering comprehensive solutions that provide organizations with strategic leverage against the multifaceted challenges of perception manipulation.
Unveiling Blackbird.AI’s Powerful Platform and Enhanced Capabilities
Blackbird.AI’s platform, rooted in the defense community since 2019, seamlessly integrates the efforts of security and communications teams. By effectively uncovering and tracking deliberate narrative manipulation in the digital landscape, Blackbird.AI’s Constellation Platform serves as a vital tool in detecting and mitigating threats that extend beyond the realm of information networks. With the ability to analyze text, images, and memes across over 25 languages, the platform scrutinizes various online sources such as the dark web, social media platforms, and news outlets. This comprehensive analysis empowers organizations to respond rapidly to a diverse range of attacks with AI-powered insights, allowing them to stay one step ahead.
Blackbird.AI’s Strategic Partnerships and Expansion Plans
Blackbird.AI has already achieved significant organic growth, deploying its cutting-edge technology with government organizations involved in critical events, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Communications firm Weber Shandwick also relies on Blackbird.AI’s platform as a critical tool in their crisis services. The recent funding will enable Blackbird.AI to scale their sales and marketing efforts, reaching a wider customer base and driving industry-wide awareness. Additionally, the funds will fuel innovation in enhancing the Constellation Platform and the recently launched RAV3N Co-Pilot, a state-of-the-art Generative AI reporting module designed to accelerate insights and recommendations. Blackbird.AI will continue expanding its ecosystem through the Blackbird Global Alliance Program, forging partnerships to enhance their service offerings and provide comprehensive solutions to organizations worldwide.
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Strengthening Blackbird.AI’s Presence in the Asia Pacific (APAC) Region
The funding infusion will specifically support Blackbird.AI’s expansion in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, with Singapore serving as the regional headquarters. With a focus on increasing the customer base and strengthening market presence, Blackbird.AI will intensify its marketing and customer support efforts. Furthermore, the company will strategically augment its team with top talent familiar with the local dynamics of APAC, ensuring tailor-made solutions for regional customers. Emphasizing collaboration and synergy, Blackbird.AI intends to invest in regional partnerships and integrations to offer a more comprehensive suite of solutions to organizations operating in the region.
A Pioneering Solution for a Secure Global Information Ecosystem
Dave Palmer, General Partner of Ten Eleven Ventures and former co-founder and chief product officer at Darktrace, who now sits on Blackbird.AI’s board of directors, emphasizes the urgency of addressing deliberate and accidental disinformation. Palmer asserts, “Global organizations must act on deliberate and accidental disinformation and malicious messaging from humans or automated bots – or a hybrid of both. Online security measures like firewalls and cloud defenses may not be enough to ensure a safe internet. Blackbird.AI offers superior security that goes beyond infrastructure and application security technologies. We are on a mission to serve and protect the global information ecosystem.”
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